PrintPrintThe Savannah River Maritime Commission and Georgia Ports Authority can intervene in a lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers for its Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
By Matt Tomsic
mtomsic@scbiznews.com
Published Aug. 15, 2012
A federal judge has allowed the Savannah River Maritime Commission and Georgia Ports Authority to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.
Judge Richard Gergel issued the order Tuesday.
In February, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed the lawsuit, saying the Army Corps of Engineers didn’t get a pollution control permit from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control for the harbor expansion project, or SHEP, according to a lawsuit.
The maritime commission asked to intervene as a plaintiff in July, arguing the lawsuit filed is related to a decision it made in May, when the commission amended a state permit to allow the Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District to dredge to 45 feet instead of its recommended 47 feet in the Savannah River deepening project.
In late July, the Georgia Ports Authority asked to intervene in the lawsuit as a defendant, arguing it has separate interests in the case from the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Savannah Riverkeeper, the Coastal Conservation League and the S.C. Wildlife Federation.
The $650 million Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is being done in anticipation of the expansion of the Panama Canal, which port officials say will open the East Coast to larger post-Panamax ships.
Previous coverage
Attorneys seek amendment to Savannah River lawsuit
Georgia Ports Authority asks to intervene in dredging lawsuit
Maritime commission asks to intervene in Savannah River lawsuit
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